CONVAIR B-36 - Story of the Strategic Air Command's Masive Cold War Peacemaker!

[@robertdulaney4786]

My dad was a WWII high-speed radio operator [morse code] retread in 1951, ultimately being stationed at Rapid City, SD for 12 months. This was home to the mighty, beautiful B-36. He said the sound of its engines was absolutely unmistakable. I have heard audio clips of this mostly forgotten aircraft [including the opening scene of the film 'Strategic Air Command'] and would have to agree. He described one flight taking off from Ellsworth AFB flying down and over Cuba, then flying out over the US Virgin Islands, and finally returning home the next day. Apparently, these happened with some degree of frequency [once about every six weeks or so, give or take]. Thanks for the return to those thrilling days of yesteryear that my Dad described from time to time.

[@daveradke1656]

My Pop was in the Air Force in the early 50's, made it to Tech Sgt. His crew was responsible for the top of the wing and main landing gear for this plane. He was stationed in North Dakota and Maine. He'll be 94 this year and will get a kick out of seeing your video. If he has anything to add, I'll report back.

[@lancerevell5979]

My late Dad was a Tech Seargent Air Policeman at Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyo. in the late 1950s. It was a SAC base.

[@axiomist4488]

I bet he definitely got a kick out of this !

[@danjohnson887]

Wow! My dad was also stationed at Minot AFB around the same time and worked on the b-36. Ask your father if he knew an airman "Gene Johnson" stocky guy with black pointed glasses.

[@daveradke1656]

@@danjohnson887 Sadly, my Pop passed Dec 1st. He lived his very best life for 94 years, and had more adventures and shenanigans than the rest of the family combined.

[@danjohnson887]

@@daveradke1656 My highest respect for your father. May his soul rest in peace. It's not goodbye, it's See ya later.

[@cruzcontrol1504]

To say I was overwhelmed by "Strategic Air Command" when I first saw it is a profound understatement, the scenes of it taxiing on the runway in wide screen were breathtaking. It fully deserved the treatment

[@johncox6321]

Jimmy Stuart didn't have to portray an Air Force pilot, he was one, he retired from the Air Force Reserve as a General officer. He had flown bombing missions over Germany during WWII. It was one of the reasons that the film stands up so well today as an excellent depiction of SAC during the Cold War.

[@johnharris6655]

That scene where they are cramming all sorts of stuff into cargo planes is for some reason my favorite.

[@johnharris6655]

@@johncox6321 Funny story, Jimmy and Bob Hope were entertaining the troops and Hope was doing his routine with Stewart doing nothing. Finally Hope asked if we was going to do any thing, Stewart replied "Well, you see I am a Colonel, and these guys can tell you that Colonel do have to do anything." and the soldiers roared in laughter.

[@stephenholland5930]

Yes, some superb photography in that film.

[@lancerevell5979]

Jimmy Stewart was an actual SAC bomber pilot, making his portrayal totally realistic.

[@mattjacomos2795]

"Jimmy Stewart Bomber Pilot" is well worth a read. He retired as a general.

[@lancerevell5979]

Thanks, I'll look for the book. I'm a big military history and biographical nerd.

[@klsc8510]

Another General Stewart book is Mission. It goes into more detail.

[@mase7557]

Jimmy Stewart was a bomber pilot in WWII. He was very influential in getting the Air Force created. He retired from the Air Force as a General.

[@fastone942]

@@mase7557 right before general, Stewart retired because he had maxed out age wise He flew a mission over south Vietnam in a B52 out of Andersen Air Force Base later on President Reagan made him a major general

[@Chilly_Billy]

I've seen it several times but the B-36 at the Museum of the USAF never ceases to impress. The cutaway Wasp Major in display there will make your head spin when you press the button to make it run. Truly a remarkable aircraft and powerplant. I recently watched my Blu Ray copy of "Strategic Air Command." Oh my, the color and clarity of the flying scenes! It's like they were shot yesterday.

[@Skiergold]

My grandfather flew on that particular airframe as a navigator when he was a junior lieutenant. Can't imagine the spectacle of seeing one fly overhead, much less a full squadron!

[@maverick1685]

I've spent multiple Days in the USAF Museum & have lost count of the amount of photos I've taken.

[@Cirrus2000]

I remember when my father showed me that DVD when I was six years old. It became my favorite big plane. It still is.

[@activeregent8889]

Oh they have a Wasp Major? The only cutaway I know of there is a J79

[@Echowhiskeyone]

One of my favorite aircraft and one not many remember anymore. Beautifully done.

[@jamesvaccaro6280]

Back in the 80's I had the opportunity to visit the Airforce Museum at Wright Patt. I remember touring the exhibits and while occasionally looking up, noticed sections of a massive wing. Not sure what it was, I continued my journey. When I finally entered the B -36 exhibit area, I was awestruck! There it was, my all time favorite aircraft in all its glory. I stared up at it for quite some time. Eventually an Airman came by, watching me. All I could say was "Beautiful, isn't it?" He just smiled and said "Sure is!" What a great memory, thanks Mike.

[@jhazardiii]

I vividly remember standing with my father in our yard in Knoxville, TN, and watching a B36 fly directly overhead. He told me to get a good look, that I would probably never see one flying again. I have treasured that memory, and the beautiful airplane ever since. That was in the in the early 50s, before we moved to his engineering career at an Air Force wind tunnel test facility. Thank you for this thorough overview.

[@lindycorgey2743]

Not as impressive as the B36. But I can remember when I was 4 (1966) looking up and seeing a C119 over Dayton, Ohio.

[@geneweeks3222]

I was an ECM operator on the RB36 in the early 50s. I am 88 years old and it seems like yesterday. I was fortunate to be on a select crew.

[@geneweeks3222]

Average mission was 24 hours

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Thank you for your service, and yes, definitely a unique mission and airplane - built at Douglas Long Beach where I worked in the 1970s and '80s.

[@ricklundin1154]

I remember the first time I saw Revell's brand new kit of the B-36 (Grants in Providence, RI). I was in the second grade and mine ended up under the Christmas tree that year (1954). I'm glad to say that anyone can still buy one at any hobby shop - same kit, same box art, pretty much the same instructions and the same Revell stand. Thank you for the video, Mike.

[@glennweaver3014]

Wonderful presentation of the magnificent Convair B-36, the SAC mainstay during the first decade of the cold war. Been a B-36 enthusiast since childhood, when I built both the Revell and Aurora model kits. The size, sight and sound of this complex aircraft is inspiring and unforgettable. One of the strongest wishes of any B-36 fan is to see one fly again. Although this will likely never happen, we can still see four examples displayed at various museums, and of course we can always admire the stunning flying scenes in "Strategic Air Command." Mike, I really appreciate the dedication of this video to me, my dear and trusted friend.

[@sadiqmohamed681]

Another great video. I have a digital HD copy of "Strategic Air Command", and it is indeed a fascinating movie. One of the most extraordinary things about it is that because it was shot in VistaVision, and the version that is available on Blu-Ray was restored it has the best quality footage of the B-36 and SAC operations from the time. Other people who have made videos of the B-36 have actually used footage from the film! A fascinating time in aviation with the breakneck speed of development. I was born in 1950, so by the time the B-58 flew I was old enough to be interested in aircraft. Keep up the good work.

[@michaelnaven213]

My father in law flew the B-36. He didn’t like the 20mm guns as they jammed most of time and he didn’t like the engine fires. He transferred to Titan ICBMs. Always enjoy your videos Mike, they are outstanding.

[@paaat001]

Another awesome presentation. As a kid they flew right over our house at Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico. We lived right at the end of the runway on Lighthouse Drive and my mother was always mad because it shook all of the knick knacks off the shelf in her china cabinet with each takeoff. Forward to the late 1980's. I was working at General Dynamics Convair in San Diego on the Advanced Cruise Missile program. We moved into a loft above the cafeteria at the Lindbergh Field plant and to make room, there were two walls torn out. Behind the walls, were hundreds of original engineering drawings for the B-36 vertical stab and several other sub-assemblies made in San Diego during the production run. Sadly, the USAF claimed proprietary ownership of the drawings and took them. I wish I had kept a few now but hindsight is 20/20.

[@cdusen]

Darn! Would love to see original drawings.

[@fifthcataract]

I worked at USAF Assembly Plant #4 when the “Spirit of Fort Worth” [B-36-J-III 52-2827] was being restored and later saw it leave in pieces on a flat-bed trailer. Sadly, my younger co-workers didn’t even know what it was or what a piece of aviation history it represented for the plant. We used to peruse the original beauifully rendered hand-drawn vellum plans in a dusty corner of engineering tracing vault.

[@donhaap2067]

By a phenomenal stroke of luck I happened to see the B-36 with the B-58 fuselage nestled beneath as I was walking home from school in Cincinnati. I remember hearing this very loud roar and looking up seeing this huge apparition roaring overhead as I stood with my mouth agape. A once in a lifetime experience I will never forget.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

You truly witnessed a rare moment in aviation history!

[@donhaap2067]

@@celebratingaviationwithmik9782 I now volunteer at the NMUSAF in Dayton. Any time I want to get my B-36 fix I just walk from Hangar 2, Korea/Southeast Asia where I normally serve, to Hangar 3, Cold War.

[@johntechwriter]

Wow! A YT channel devoted to obscure military aircraft! Consider me signed up! I’m a technical writer by trade, and this episode about the XB-36 supports my long-held conviction that animations, simulations, and other fancy graphics are not required to explain even a complex machine like this bomber. Nor is any kind of music. Professional-level photographs (b/w preferred) and a logically constructed narration, delivered in a clear, steady voice (your informal narration style is great) are all that is needed to get the message across, even in a video-based medium. Productions like this one exemplify the golden age of KZbin. Please don’t change a thing!

[@petesheppard1709]

The B-36 takeoff and climbout sequence in 'Strategic Air Command' is to me the loveliest, most awesome bit of aviation cinema ever!

[@stephenholland5930]

Yes, fantastic photography in that film.

[@scuddrunner1]

Great video!!! My dad was a bombardier navigator on the B-36 at 20 years old with a Doolittle Raider. You didn't talk about the storm where 2/3rds were damaged or destroyed in 1952 at Carswell AFB. My dad told me all the B-36's in the AF were brought to the base to plan a pretend attack at Guam and a tornado came through wiped them out. They don't do that anymore. He told me of a time where they accidently dropped a "atomic" bomb. It was a practice bomb filled with concrete that they dropped in a populated area. Ther heard on the radio that fighters were coming up to see who it was. The pilot turned the plane into the clouds so the fighters couldn't get the tail number. It's funny you cant do that nowadays. At 20 the AF was hurting for pilots and they picked my dad to go to flight training. He flew the WB-50 into typhoons, AC-119 gunship in VN, and the C-124 all with the R-4360 engine. One of the issues with that engine is if you approached the runway too steep the engine would loose engine pressure so they'd feather it on landing. Another thing, there were 56 spark plugs per engine and they would fail. The B-36 had 336 spark plugs. 🙂

[@JazzBuff23]

I was in the Air Force from Jan 1955 till Dec 1958. I was stationed at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota. When I arrived in mid 55 the B-36 was the bombers we had. There was also a squadron of C-124's form the MAC. I loved the B-36, but it was soon replaced by the B-52. I was a Ground Control Intercept Tech at an Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron (AC&W). As such I was in the Air Defense Command attached to the base, which was SAC.

[@jleechadwick]

My mother's first husband lost her husband in the crash in Newfoundland on March 17, 1953, which killed all 21 aboard, including General Ellsworth. President Einsenhower spent the whole weekend after the crash at the base for Gen. Ellsworth's funeral, naming the base in his honor. All the generals in the military (and maybe admirals too) were there that weekend.

[@kojikanemoto5144]

Mike, this was by far the most interesting and detailed presentation on the B-36 I have watched. Kudos to you. Just as I was wondering how they manuvered the huge aircraft in the shop, you came out with the unique photo and answer! I also feel that Brig. Gen. Jimmy Steward was by far one of the top actors - down to "Strategic Air Command". Thank you for such wonderful history in detail.

[@billgrandone3552]

Yes that was a great movie and that B-36 was HUGE.

[@mattdaugherty7865]

Mike, I can't begin to tell you the excitement I feel everytime you post a new video. To have an experienced pilot/artist give first hand accounts of these impressive and beautiful aircraft is an absolute joy to see and hear about. Thank you for all the time and hard work you put in to bring us these wonderful videos!

[@csmarckwardt]

Great presentation. Thanks. My father was a flight engineer on D and H models at Carswell in 1950-52. His last assignment was 51-5702, the aircraft that Col. Holland "crashed" in Alaska in the movie. This is the plane that I credit with my interest in aviation, having been around them at age 3-5 and living under the south departure for a year or two. It's a shame that the sound that could, in any way, match six turning and four burning at 1000 agl over the house is something my grandkids will never experience.

[@gravelydon7072]

Sad that many people have never even heard a radial engine running. I however am not one of them. I've flown in a Boeing Stratocruiser. And a number of other propeller driven aircraft. And was woke up as an infant on Guam by B-36s.

[@apolloleader]

A great video but a thing or two to add. The XB-36 first flew on August 8th, 1946 nearly a year after the end of World War II. The XB-36, YB-36, and XC-99 all initially flew with a main landing gear with a large, single tire as opposed to the four-tire main gear it used for most of its life. Four complete B-36 remain intact while the XC-99 I believe is currently in storage at Davis-Monthan with the intent that it will one day be restored.

[@SkyhawkSteve]

the Museum of the USAF in Dayton has one of those original main gear on display next to their B-36. That tire is huge! A shot of it... live.staticflickr.com/7457/13768308415_264756cc40_b_d.jpg

[@cnfuzz]

Also a forward faceing turboprop engine version was on the drawing board , the first b36's also leaked to much fuel and oil and new seal tanks were fitted.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Good catch, thanks, and that date is being corrected in edit.

[@AvraValleyAviation]

The XC-99 fact is correct. I saw it at AMARG through the fence. It’s all chopped up and rusting out and it really is an emotional sight. I believe the NMUSAF wants to restore it for display but it’ll be expensive. They decided to put it in AMARG in 2009 I believe and it’s rested there ever since.

[@johnosbourn4312]

Actually, the XC-99 is in storage at the National Museum of the USAF, not the Boneyard.

[@AnthonyEvelyn]

When I first saw the B-36 Convair in an old Colliers Encyclopaedia back in the 70's I was shocked! I knew about the B-52 but couldn't believe there was a bigger bomber.

[@gravelydon7072]

The people on Guam knew about them. They were the alarm clocks for many people as they returned from night time patrols at 0600. Well the sounds of them did if not the actual airplanes. Like the Russian Bear bombers, sounds got there before the planes did.

[@bnewman43]

I was lucky enough to work with an old fellow back in early 2000's who was an Air Force mechanic in the 1950's who worked on the B-36 in England and Greenland. We worked Security on the night shift. He knew I liked the plane and for four years I was treated to stories about the plane almost nightly.

[@robertdragoff6909]

I saw Jimmy Stewart in Supreme Air Command on a Sunday afternoon on TV. as a kid. I didn’t know that General LeMay had a role in the production of this movie till years later. My favorite scene is where you literally follow a B36 as it takes off on a mission (video is somewhere on KZbin) A huge lumbering giant and thankfully it was never used in it’s primary role. Great video

[@stevedittrich4411]

Most people don't remember that Jimmy Stewart was an Air Force Reserve officer, qualified as a command pilot in the B-17, B-24, B-29, B-47, B-50, B-36, and B-52, and retired as a brigadier general. In STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND, it must have seemed strange to him to be "acting" as a B-47 pilot, when he was actually fully qualified to fly it! In addition, he flew many combat missions in Europe in the B-24 during WW II.

[@robertdragoff6909]

@@stevedittrich4411 Thank you for telling me about his service to his country. I had no idea he was qualified to fly so many aircraft. In the SAC movie, his character piloted the B36 and a B47, so he could really fly those planes…. Cool! I saw a video recently on the B58 Hustler and during the video it showed a very happy Jimmy Stewart in the front cockpit. He was a very interesting man who lived an extraordinary life.

[@bluesteel48]

When I was a kid back in the 50’s I lived in an Air Force base town. Our base did not have bombers but on Armed Forces Day every year there was a big two day open house at the base. All kinds of different planes came in. To this day I can remember being in close proximity to a B36 landing and taking off from the base. It’s a sight (and sound) you would never forget.

[@AvraValleyAviation]

Loved the video! I’m a sucker for the B-36 and all it’s variants. I’ve seen the XC-99 before! I have pictures of it in pieces at the 309th AMARG at Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ. Truly a sad but magnificent sight to see.

[@tomcarroll6744]

Mike, did you forget the Featherweights? They were gutted and stripped to get above intercepting Mig-15s. Also, the B-36 holds the distinction of causing the "Revolt of the Admirals" . The Navy pouted when the USAF got 36s and they didn't get their giant carrier.

[@craiglordable]

Love the history you share. I remember these flying over So Cal when I was a kid. You could barely see them, but you could hear them on a good day, very distinct sound.

[@topturretgunner]

Great video Mike. I spent several years of my childhood living directly across the street from the current site of the Air Force museum at Wright-Patt. This initially was during the time before the museum made it's move from the former site at what was once known as Patterson filed in Fairborn, OH. My last couple of years there was as the move was being made to the current location. I recall a time of a couple years when a B-36 sat parked on a hardstand adjacent to the roadway and as a kid I marveled at the size of that airplane. Part of this time was the twilight years of radial engine propellor powered aircraft in the MATS inventory and I can still recall at 71 years standing transfixed as an 8 year old at the chain link perimeter fence watching as ground crews moved about various C-47's, C-54's, a couple C-121's and various other "prop jobs" doing engine run-ups and the intoxicating scent of burned av-gas and engine oil as the P&W's gave off their prefunctory gout of blue white smoke upon starting. Mesmerizing stuff for a young boy in love with airplanes and a fascinating time of transition to witness.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Wonderful comment and story, thanks!

[@gravelydon7072]

Funny that a number of those aircraft are ones I have flown in. First airplane flight was in a MATS C-54. Which in our typical fashion, had engine problems when we landed on Kwajalein. And took two weeks to get another engine.

[@arnoldjohnson5594]

I was an electrical gunner, in 53 after training at Lowrey on 29s. Flew until march of 56 out of Biggs AFB, 95th Bomb wing.. trips to the Azores, Guam on TDY was icing on the cake to a 21 yr old. Couple of yrs later I had a chance to VISIT KI Sawyer in Marquette Mi. and see the B 52s. Was a guest having dinner on base the night night a 52 crashed during landing in the middle 70s.. many memories.

[@dougsguitarlounge7927]

I love that movie SAC with Jimmy Stewart! It's out on blu Ray now. Great video Mike, really enjoyed this one.

[@bertg.6056]

An excellent presentation (as always), Mike. I just wish some footage of the defensive 20mm turrets could be shown, with their covers retracting, and the turrets popping up. It's rare footage indeed.

[@lucasdeaver9192]

An interesting side note was the landing gear where they switched from a single large tire on each side to the 4 wheel gear on each side because the single wheel was cracking up the concrete runway on landing. Great content!

[@johnosbourn4312]

That's because only a small number of bases had runways thick enough to withstand the weight of that large 110 inch main wheel, so that's why they switched to the smaller four wheel trucks with each wheel only being 56 inches in diameter, which allows the weight to spread across four wheels on each truck, which also allows the bomber to operate from a greater number of fields now.

[@AJ67901]

I toured Offutt AFB in about 1992 and spent some time looking over their B-36. They were huge, even by modern standards. I've read a lot about them and one of their problems was carb icing, caused mostly by the pusher configuration. When the engine was mounted in a prop forward config, heat from the engine helped warm the intake air. I have seen the variant where they wanted to install a nuclear reactor. Hard to imagine that was considered a good idea. One thing I always found amazing was that ConVAir could design the B-36 and the B-58. What a difference. Another great video Mike :)

[@ejharrop1416]

Wonderful story and fascinating details of the aircraft. Thank you, take care and peace out.

[@danf321]

Thank you for another great informative video. As a young lad, the B-36 captured my interest and obsession with bombers and aviation in general.

[@martinpennock9430]

Wonderful video as always! I live in a town just south of Fort Worth where the B-36 was built. In fact, the plant where it was built was a customer of a company I worked for. Have been inside many times during the initial F-16 runs. There were many large photos of the B-36 and B-24 in the lobby there. Really neat place! Great aircraft, one of my favorites. Yes, love the movie with James Stewart too. You showed a picture of a man painting the information sign at Wright Patterson AFB, and that's what my dad did at Warren AFB in Cheyenne before becoming a house painter later in life. He left to transfer to the AFB In San Antonio, but when he got there, there were no positions open. Bad luck really. Anyway, thanks again for a wonderfully informative video, as is always the case with you Mr Machat. God bless you and yours always and thanks again for everything you do! Take care always.

[@joeljenkins7092]

I've heard and read so many pros and cons about the B-36, its mission, and Lemay. Oh, but how I wish I could have been on that ball field with Jimmy Stewart in the opening act of "Strategic Air Command."

[@glennweaver3014]

Same. Eighteen seconds of glorious sight and sound.

[@calbob750]

The movie to see for fans of the B36 is “Strategic Air Command” starring Jimmy Stewart. This 1955 movie has incredible footage centering around the B36. Back in the day this film could have been used for recruiting for the USAF. The B47 makes an appearance in this film also.

[@cnfuzz]

A second movie "high Frontiers" featuring the 36 was never materialised , it does cameos in John wayne's jet pilot and holdens toward the unknown

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

I saw it the year of release at Furstenfeldbruck AFB [in Germany, near Munich] base theatre, with my father an Air Force officer. I think he was as enthralled as my nine year old self was. Later in life, I had a fairly intense argument with a friend over June Allyson's role. He thought she was too controlling; but I, remembering my father's frequent and long absences on missions and what it did to my mother, coping with two rambunctious sub-teen boys and a toddler, I could understand.

[@alanrogers7090]

Hey, Mike! Any episode with you is "special". I literally learn so much with each passing video. All about the different aircraft, about taking an idea and turning that into a painting, or even a mural. Plus your personal history from growing up in New York, not far from airports. These are excellent programs, and I, for one, thank you for them.

[@robertbarnes2037]

My dad told me a story from 1956 when he was training in the Agency U-2 program. it was a daytime training flight out of Groom Lake, over New Mexico, east over Texas, up into the mid-west and back to Groom Lake. He had just entered the cruise-climb phase, around 67,000 feet heading east when he spotted an RB-36 heading west directly under him at what he estimated to be between 60,000 to 62,000 feet! He watched it using the drift sight as he was directly over them. And it still amazed him years later when he told me that story. Keep up the great work Mike.

[@theq4602]

bruh your dad worked for the fucking cia and went to area 51 mad props

[@LooneyZRJ]

@@theq4602 Charming way to talk about someone's father who was serving his country

[@Fleetwoodjohn]

The b29 next to the b36 is mind boggling

[@darthnihilus511]

Thank you for your detail on the inside of the aircraft. This is the only documentary about this plane that I have seen so far that is this thorough. You obviously love these as much as me 🙏🏻❤

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment and thanks for watching!

[@BELCAN57]

I've seen two beautiful examples of this magnificent aircraft, one at the Pima Air Museum in AZ, and the other at The Museum of the U.S. Airforce in Dayton, OH. The aircraft's sheer size alone is enough to take your breath away.

[@bertg.6056]

I agree, and I've seen both examples, too.

[@mbryson2899]

Castle AFB Museum in Atwater CA has one now, too. She was still in pieces when I last visited in the mid-90s, but still imposing in sheer size.

[@leestebbins5051]

Believe the one at Pima used to be at Fort Worth’s Meacham Field.

[@joeschenk8400]

Great history of the B-36. thanks Mike!

[@boris1932]

Well done Mike! The B-36 was a beauty for sure! It has to be seen to be believed at just how large of an aircraft it was.

[@SFolkes97]

Thanks, this was excellent. It's pretty hard to present info about these planes and this era that is brand new (to me) but you did so. Growing up in Roswell, Walker AFB (post-war home of the 509th BG atomic bomb missions), I remember seeing the B-36 fly over - very distinctive sound as in the Stewart movie. My Dad was a B-17 pilot in WWII who got out of the service at Walker. B-52's were the main SAC bombers at Walker with all of us who lived in Roswell well acquainted with the sounds of them running up in the mornings. I had a friend whose dad was a maintenance Sergeant at the base. To say his hours were long and irregular would be an understatement. We didn't see him much. Quite an historic era for aviation.

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

I was in my school yard at recess in Waco, Texas when a B-36 flew over at low altitude. The sound was incredible, and unforgettable.

[@aramboodakian9554]

At about 10:55 you said an “unpressurized” tunnel was used by crew members to go from the forward to aft compartments. I believe you meant “pressurized “ tunnel as it got them through the unpressurized bomb bay. Great video so much good information and pictures. Thank you Mike! I hadn’t known of the B-36 until the mid 70s. Once I saw it for the first time I fell in love with it. A interesting note as a young child in the early 1960s a neighbor had a classic set of plastic army men which included some molded bomber planes which had pusher props. I though it was odd because all airplanes I knew of had the conventional configuration. Obviously these were tiny B-36 models.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate your comment Aram, and yes you're absolutely correct. The mid-fuselage of the B-36 was unpressurized, but the tunnel obviously had to be. Thanks for watching!

[@aramboodakian9554]

@@celebratingaviationwithmik9782 you are a good man Mr Machat!

[@Deepthought-42]

As a 7 year old growing up in Birmingham England I remember having the good luck to see what I later came to know was a B36 making several very low passes over the city. In post war Britain we were used to seeing bombers and fighters overhead but we rushed into our gardens to marvel at the size and of course the number of engines. The image at 13.40 is what has been in my mind ever since. I don’t know what the reason for the visit but it made the front page of the Birmingham Post the next day. A beautiful aeroplane. Thanks for posting its history.

[@jordanrighi4136]

Thank you, thank you, sir. I think I have read and watched everything available about this wonderful plane! Thanks for the great new addition!

[@3Storms]

I saw one ONCE at an air show in Texas in 1990. It was impressive, and still one of my all-time favorite aircrafts.

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@donaldhoffman9238]

From February, 1955 until my discharge in June, 1956 I was a member of the 812th Air Base Group (SAC) at Walker AFB in Roswell, NM. One of my duties was to maintain the service and readiness status records of the B-36's of the 6th Bomb Wing (SAC) and to create timing charts for the air refueling rendezvouses when the aircraft were on their long non-stop flights to Thule, Greenland and back. It was a thrilling sound and sight to hear and see those monstrous B-36s taking off and landing. You always knew when that was happening because the house would shake, the windows would rattle and the dust would vibrate off the window blinds. SAC, with General LeMay in command, was a real spit and polish outfit! After being decommissioned by the Air Force, the 10,000ft. runway was used for civilian pilot training on the Boeing 747s just coming online. Greyhound built buses in one of the former B-36 hangers. As Walker AFB closed, it was being surrounded by Atlas ICBM underground missile silos.|

[@Guspech750]

This is by far the most enjoyable B36 video I've seen. Thank you very much. Very well done.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Really appreciate the comment, many thanks!

[@tedthoman6580]

Could not agree more !

[@jimcabezola3051]

I loved watching "Strategic Air Command" over and over again on AMC and TCM cable channels back in the '00s. Must try to get this movie in a hi-def disc format. These B-36s left the service shortly before I came along; they seem like mythical beasts now. I should go to Wright-Patt and see one up close and personal. Mahalo for an outstanding video!

[@rogersmith7396]

One at Castle in CA.

[@RyeOnHam]

A couple of things. First, you left out the first flight date. Seems like you intended to dub that in. Second, you omitted the surviving aircraft. There is one in Omaha on display at the SAC museum. There is one in Dayton at the National Museum of the USAF. One at the old Castle AFB museum. One at the Pima County Air Museum. The final one is in pieces and pretty ragged shape at the Walter Soplata Collection. The XC-99 is also in pieces and not much better condition at Wright Patterson. They intended at one point to assemble it, but when I was there this summer, it was still in pieces. Great video overall. I've got a book, "Magnesium Overcast", that is pretty detailed. I've also done some volunteer work on the plane at Castle AFB. What a pig.

[@findo12]

Brilliant presentation of a fantastic aircraft. When I first saw a photo of the B36, I thought it was someone’s fantasy with 6 turnin’ 4 burnin’. I eventually found out it was real. Definitely an aircraft for that early post World War 2 era. Thank you Mike.

[@DriventoExtremes]

A fascinating piece of aviation history. Thanks for all the hard work putting it together and sharing.

[@georgemallory797]

Excellent. You, my friend, are the gold standard in instructional, historical, fact-loaded aircraft videos. Fun to watch for this self anointed aircraft expert. I'm amazed at some of the photos you obtain. Fantastic.

[@pcj3405]

I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation. Thank you! I grew up just a few miles from the United States Air Force Museum and went there as often as i could get my dad to take me. The AFM is truly the gem of the "Gem City" Dayton, Ohio. My mom and i would go to the night movies there at the museum in the Carney auditorium and watch so many of those great movies such as Strategic Air Command. Things were so different back then. One night i went to the restroom and was taunted and goaded by my... no, no... I was "invited" by my 12, 13 or 14 year old sense of adventure to tour the museum after hours. With the lights down and no one else in the museum, It was so hauntingly peaceful. what a memory. I'm sure security must have known i was there but they never told me to leave if they did. Things were so, so different back then!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Wonderful story, thanks!

[@GustavoMonasterio]

This is a huge and complex machine! It's hard to imagine how this mammoth rise up in the air! Greetings from Brazil, Mike! Keep up the good work! 🇧🇷

[@rogersmith7396]

More complex than you know. Crammed full of advanced electronics, all tube. Retracting remote gun turrets, radar directed.

[@ronaldtartaglia4459]

What a great presentation.

[@nickdean1364]

Excellent presentation, thank you!!

[@danclayberger770]

I truly enjoyed the narration by Mike Machat. His narration made watching this detailed video all the more enjoyable. I give this One of my very few THUMBS UP.

[@n176ldesperanza7]

Top drawer presentation as always, Mike. Thank you.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@localbod]

Fascinating presentation. Thanks for posting.

[@hugebartlett1884]

What a great video! I loved the look of that aircraft back in the day. The film sold me completely on the Strategic Air Command,and I was really sad when S.A.C.was disbanded. The title is heroic,sounding exactly right for the job! My thanks to all the personnel who served with it.

[@jeremyfdavies]

What an excellent video, superb commentary, very informative. Congratulations!

[@rickhunter9458]

B-36, to me, is a beautiful airframe. Thanks for sharing this video

[@kenmercer8040]

Grew up in Fort Worth and always loved driving past the Spirit of Ft. Worth when it was parked next to the terminal of the old Greater Southwest airport.. My older brothers got to play in and around it when they were young, but it was fenced off because of vandalism by the time I came along. It's hard to describe just how huge it was to a 6 year old! I believe that airframe is now at the Pima Air Museum.

[@MarkGardner66Bonnie]

Thank you Sir for sharing this story of this amazing aircraft. I am an aircraft mechanic and have been for over 45 years, the 4360 engine is freakin amazing. It was such a good thing that the jet engine came out when it did... Thank you for sharing...

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@ronjon7942]

Great photos I've not seen before. Nice work.

[@ELMS]

That was just a joy. Thanks so much, Mike!

[@philipcollura2669]

Another fascinating video, Thanks. Just two days ago a visitor at our museum (MAAM, Reading, Pa) was a former crew member on B-36's. Needless to say, I pumped him for whatever stories he could share iin our short time together. I believe he said the tunnel was pressurized. His longest mission was from Washington state - to a Pacific island, possibly Guam - 33hrs. non stop, no air - air refueling.

[@WarblesOnALot]

Gday, Yes, you and your Veteran are correct. EVERY actual TEXTBOOK ever published, which speaks of the B-36, mentions that the Tunnel between the Nose and Rear Fuselage was indeed PRESSURISED... But, clearly, this young Shavetail has yet to discover actually Authoritative Sources - instead he looks online, skims across a broad but shallow puddle of commentary, and then he takes a guess at what he thinks might be right. Apparently. The illustration he displayed, depicting a Crewmember in Shirtsleeves, without any Helmet, Goggles, Oxygen Mask, Heated Clothing, or Gloves... Blind Freddy could see that if the Tunnel was unpressurised at 50,000 ft then the illustrated Crewmember would be a dead Icicle. Just(ifiably ?) sayin', Have a good one... Stay safe. ;-p Ciao !

[@KenTails]

Loved this episode, such a beautiful aircraft, B-36. Thanks for the videos, Mike

[@stalag14]

Really enjoyed the video. Thanks for the work you do.

[@motorTranz]

This was another of many fascinating stories you have Mike! Thank you!

[@TroyMorePhotography]

Really enjoyed this. I've been a fan of the B-36 for many years, but I learned some new things here.

[@viksaini]

Had the chance to see B-36s on display in Dayton, Omaha, and Tucson. All impressive examples.

[@garymckee8857]

I didn't know that there was one in Omaha, I will have to go check it out.

[@viksaini]

@@garymckee8857 Its at the SAC Museum

[@garymckee8857]

@@viksaini Thanks 😊

[@johnplaninac9980]

Another great video and the photos are great. For the time the B-36 was really advanced. Great work.

[@GregWampler-xm8hv]

Uniformly EXCELLENT! When I see a video from you I know I'm in for a treat. Your love and passion for aviation is abundantly clear.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Appreciate the comment, thanks!

[@ButchNackley]

Most excellent information. Thank you for the time you put into this video.

[@JAMESWUERTELE]

I love this channel. I really learn a lot about aviation I had no clue about.

[@AgentPepsi1]

AMAZING!! 😊 Yet, this airplane was already totally obsolete the instant the B-47 took to the air in my view.

[@gravelydon7072]

B-47 didn't have the range or payload capacity to make it obsolete. That was only done when the B-52s came online.

[@johnmclean6498]

A fascinating aircraft and by far the best video treatment. Superbly clear images (lots of screenshots!) Thank you Mike.

[@pierolovatto6044]

Dear Mike: you are a living encyclopedia!, lot’s of technical information, interesting data and memories. Your videos will become valuable documents to preserve for the future the history of aviation. Thank You.

[@williamthornburgh3675]

One of your best ever. Thanks Mike!

[@sarcasticguy4311]

I had a model of one of these given to me by a family friend nearly 40 years ago. Needless to say, it was the largest airplane model I've ever seen in my life and probably ever will. The wingspan was nearly 4 feet across. However I remember the pilots being extremely tiny due to scale.

[@sarcasticguy4311]

I spent the $140 to get a 1980's unopened model kit of the B-36. I did a terrible job on it as a kid and now it's time to redeem myself. Model kit tools and paints have come quite a long way in 40 years.

[@michelemarcolin2548]

Very informative. Thanks!

[@robertadams2857]

I must have missed this great show about the fantastic B-36. Strategic Air Command IS a great movie. Absolutely the best air to air shots of this remarkable airplane.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Agreed!

[@paulbervid1610]

Outstanding video. Thank you.

[@Liberator74]

One of the most amazing aircraft ever! Great video too!

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Many thanks!

[@maxsmodels]

Wonderful video Mike.

[@celebratingaviationwithmik9782]

Hope you're feeliong better Max!

[@rickcentore2801]

I've read a great deal about the B-36 but in this video I learned some new things. As shown in the right hand pic at 7:53, in the closed position the jet engine shutters do not completely block airflow. This was to allow the engine to rotate slowly to keep it from freezing at altitude.

[@dennisswaim8210]

Air Force Vet, 81-85. SAC was the key stone of the Air Force's deterrent in those days. It was SAC, MAC, and TAC back then. The B-36 was long gone by my time in, but Dad was around them all the time during his career. He said it was an incredible aircraft, very impressive.

[@timsparks1858]

My Dad was stationed at Forbes AFB in 1955-57 and worked on Radios for the B-47 & RB-47s. He was deployed with them to Morroco in the Summer of '56 during the Suez Crisis.

[@wbwarren57]

Nice video! Thank you.

[@jmfa57]

Thanks for yet another delightful video, Mike! I'm now subscribed.

[@1joshjosh1]

Bloody good stuff my friend!!!!!